Can The Sidewinder Compete?

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DevilsLuck

DevilsLuck

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Mar 7, 2019
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So for the past couple days I've been binge watching RMAC 2024 videos trying to nail down my next rifle purchase. And as the owner of a Western Sidewinder in .30 cal I couldn't help but notice that I didn't see any of the Western Airguns Rattler/Sidewinder family present in any of the events. Additionally as an owner, I've noticed precious little aftermarket support. Kind of surprising given the rave reviews regarding accuracy. Which I do find to be justified. But it had me wondering... Why does no one try to run one in any of the various competitions? Is it prohibited due to its semi auto/ full auto capability? Or is it that despite the fanfare it still cannot hold its own against the other competition proven designs? I thought of making this post in one of the Target gates, but couldn't decide on which one, because frankly I'm referring to any/all of them. Thoughts?
 
The statement you made about not seeing them at the events is your first clue
A rifle can be have, have great reviews about being accurate, but being benchrest accurate is a different level
a semi does not have the shot to shot consistency of a single shot repeater at the benchrest level

I think a lot of people look at the videos from the major events and think that's the gear to get..or a guide
but if you look into the gear used in N50 matches, that will really blow your mind
Take a look at the scores being accomplished at The Grove in California, or at Meekers in Ohio ..they are shooting at a higher level
you'll notice that their gear is different and not cheap

I believe a Semi was used in the speed shooting event and placed...but not aware of any qualifying for 100yrd BR

does that mean you can't compete with a semi ..no, you might have an exception rifle and shooting ability.

Get out to a local club in your area and give it a try with what you have.
People will trip over themselves trying to help you in investing in more gear.
telling you what works best for them and sharing their experiences

my 2 cents
Mike
 
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manabeknives said:
The statement you made about not seeing them at the events is your first clue
A rifle can be have, have great reviews about being accurate, but being benchrest accurate is a different level
a semi does not have the shot to shot consistency of a single shot repeater at the benchrest level

I think a lot of people look at the videos from the major events and think that's the gear to get..or a guide
but if you look into the gear used in N50 matches, that will really blow your mind
Take a look at the scores being accomplished at The Grove in California, or at Meekers in Ohio ..they are shooting at a higher level
you'll notice that their gear is different and not cheap

I believe a Semi was used in the speed shooting event and placed...but not aware of any qualifying for 100yrd BR

does that mean you can't compete with a semi ..no, you might have an exception rifle and shooting ability.

Get out to a local club in your area and give it a try with what you have.
People will trip over themselves trying to help you in investing in more gear.
telling you what works best for them and sharing their experiences

my 2 cents
Mike
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was thinking that at least in the speed shooting events, a semi might have an advantage.
 
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DevilsLuck said:
So for the past couple days I've been binge watching RMAC 2024 videos trying to nail down my next rifle purchase. And as the owner of a Western Sidewinder in .30 cal I couldn't help but notice that I didn't see any of the Western Airguns Rattler/Sidewinder family present in any of the events. Additionally as an owner, I've noticed precious little aftermarket support. Kind of surprising given the rave reviews regarding accuracy. Which I do find to be justified. But it had me wondering... Why does no one try to run one in any of the various competitions? Is it prohibited due to its semi auto/ full auto capability? Or is it that despite the fanfare it still cannot hold its own against the other competition proven designs? I thought of making this post in one of the Target gates, but couldn't decide on which one, because frankly I'm referring to any/all of them. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
@DevilsLuck Reading the description of the Western Sidewinder here https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/precharged-pcp/western-airguns-sidewinder-semi/full-auto-.22/ I am under the impression that these guns were primarily designed as hunting rifles. The description also mentions backyard plinking, but nothing about competition shooting. I'm confident that one can have fun banging steel and reactionary targets with these semi-auto air rifles, but competitively punching paper is another animal. I'm sure someone may modify one to their liking in order to try to compete with a Sidewinder, but I really don't think they were designed with competition bencherest shooting in mind. I could be wrong here.
 
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Semi autos like the sidewinder and Huben k1 can be just as consistent as any other rifle. The problem isn’t shot to shot consistency. The problem is they shoot the pellet directly from the mag. This requires the mag to be perfectly aligned with the barrel. Also it is my theory that when a pellet is slammed into the barrel the barrel should have progressive rifling to minimize the negative effects of shooting direct from the mag with no probe.

Whereas with rifles that use a probe, the pellet is gently pushed into the barrel, engaging the rifling. This way the pellet does not experience any micro deformities as it would from rifles that shoot direct from the mag.

Despite shooting from the mag they are plenty accurate for the average airgunner. The problem becomes more evident when these rifles go to competition.
 
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Pale_Rider said:
Semi autos like the sidewinder and Huben k1 can be just as consistent as any other rifle. The problem isn’t shot to shot consistency. The problem is they shoot the pellet directly from the mag. This requires the mag to be perfectly aligned with the barrel. Also it is my theory that when a pellet is slammed into the barrel the barrel should have progressive rifling to minimize the negative effects of shooting direct from the mag with no probe.

Whereas with rifles that use a probe, the pellet is gently pushed into the barrel, engaging the rifling. This way the pellet does not experience any micro deformities as it would from rifles that shoot direct from the mag.

Despite shooting from the mag they are plenty accurate for the average airgunner. The problem becomes more evident when these rifles go to competition.
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I see how that could be detrimental. So it's not so much the semi auto feature that disqualifies it...
 
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manabeknives said:
The statement you made about not seeing them at the events is your first clue
A rifle can be have, have great reviews about being accurate, but being benchrest accurate is a different level
a semi does not have the shot to shot consistency of a single shot repeater at the benchrest level

I think a lot of people look at the videos from the major events and think that's the gear to get..or a guide
but if you look into the gear used in N50 matches, that will really blow your mind
Take a look at the scores being accomplished at The Grove in California, or at Meekers in Ohio ..they are shooting at a higher level
you'll notice that their gear is different and not cheap

I believe a Semi was used in the speed shooting event and placed...but not aware of any qualifying for 100yrd BR

does that mean you can't compete with a semi ..no, you might have an exception rifle and shooting ability.

Get out to a local club in your area and give it a try with what you have.
People will trip over themselves trying to help you in investing in more gear.
telling you what works best for them and sharing their experiences

my 2 cents
Mike
Click to expand...
I definitely noticed the gear as being very specific, often custom, and assumed to be rather expensive...
 
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I have a 22 sidewinder and it is quite accurate, but I have to say that if I were picking a gun out of the ones I have on hand for competition it would likely be my fourth choice. My Huben comes ahead of it as the trigger is so much better. Then I have a bottled LW barreled Marauder that is good for bench shooting and an Air Ranger that is simply outstanding. All are in 22 caliber, and all three perform better than the Sidewinder.

The Sidewinder is a fine gun, but I don’t see it being used for many competitions.
 
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AlanMcD said:
I have a 22 sidewinder and it is quite accurate, but I have to say that if I were picking a gun out of the ones I have on hand for competition it would likely be my fourth choice. My human comes ahead of it as the trigger is so much better Then I have a bottled LW barreled Marauder that is good for bench shooting and an Air Ranger that is simply outstanding. All are in 22 caliber, and all three perform better than the Sidewinder.

Thw Sidewinder is a fine gun, but I don’t see it being used for many competitions.
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Yeah I hadn't seen it either. Just wasn't sure why as it was praised for accuracy, and comes in at a somewhat comparable price point as stock models go. I figured folks here would know. So far the answers make sense.
 
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